[ad_1]
Conservative MP David Jones warned that Brussels will have to backtrack on its fishing demands and eventually accept that Britain will be an independent coastal state to reach a deal. The former Brexit minister criticized the EU for trying to “recreate” the CFP, which British fishermen say has decimated their livelihoods.
Jones, who is vice chair of the influential European Research Group (ERG) of Conservative MPs, told Express.co.uk: “They will have to abandon demands, for example, for full access to British fishing waters.
“What they are trying to do is recreate the CFP.
“It is almost as if they did not really accept the fact that we have left the EU.
“At the end of the year, we will be an independent coastal state and they need to negotiate with us annually like they do, for example, with Norway.”
The Conservative MP criticized French President Emmanuel Macron’s stubbornness on fishing.
Macron, who is under pressure from French fishermen for fear of losing access to British waters, has taken a hard line on the issue, which is a key stumbling block in trade talks between the UK and the EU.
Jones said: “President Macron has been particularly unhelpful in this regard because he has upcoming elections.
“It has probably been the one that has most hampered the discussion of the new fishing arrangements.”
READ MORE: Brexit news: EU prepares to ‘give ground’ to fishing demands
Jones’ comments come as the intense Brexit talks led by UK chief negotiator Lord Frost and his EU counterpart Michel Barnier continue into the weekend.
Negotiations resumed on Thursday after Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned earlier this month that Britain would not prepare for any deal unless there was a major shift in approach from Brussels.
Fishing remains one of the salient differences between the two sides.
The UK has insisted that it will have the right to control who can fish in British waters when the transition period comes to an end at the end of the year.
But the stance will likely result in a lower fishing quota for European fishermen.
It was previously reported that Britain offered the EU a three-year buffer period to alleviate the impact of any reduction in the amount of fish European vessels can catch in UK waters.
The concession would gradually reduce fishing quotas for European trawlers between 2021 and 2024.
The governance of any agreement and the level playing field, aimed at avoiding unfair competition, are also sticking points in trade negotiations.
[ad_2]
